We all adore our pets, but let's be honest: they can leave some pretty unwelcome smells around the house. These natural cleaning tips and tricks will help keep odors at bay and leave your home smelling fresh, without any risk from harsh, toxic chemicals.
Room Deodorizing Tricks
Boiling Vinegar & Essential Oils
Simmer a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water with 20 drops of essential oil on the stove. It'll banish pet odors from the kitchen and mask any lingering cooking smells at the same time.
Baking Soda & Essential Oils
Spoon some baking soda into a few small dishes and add 10 to 20 drops of lavender essential oil (or another pet-safe essential oil of your choice). Place the dishes around the house, somewhere out of paw's reach, and the baking soda will work its deodorizing magic while filling your home with a calming lavender scent.
Natural Cleaner with Essential Oils
A beautifully scented natural cleaner can mask unwanted smells and leave your home smelling like a spa. Counter Clean is safe to use around pets and works on virtually every surface in your home, whether you're cleaning up a puppy accident on the kitchen floor or wiping paw prints off the doors and windows. Disclaimer: we don't recommend using Counter Clean on food bowls or spraying it directly on pets.
Preen Your Pooch
Doggy "Perfume"
Lavender doesn't just mask odors, it's also known to be soothing for dogs and can help keep flies and ticks away. Dab a few drops between their shoulder blades, or dilute it with water in a spray bottle for on-the-go use. It's especially handy for long car rides, since it may help ease anxiety and motion sickness.
Natural Shampoo Recipe
The best way to cut down on pet odor is regular shampooing. This homemade dog shampoo uses 100% natural, non-toxic ingredients and leaves fur feeling soft and clean. Combine 1/2 cup Castile soap (a natural, plant-based soap) with 4 cups of water in a bottle, then stir in 3 tablespoons of baking soda for its natural deodorizing power. Give it a good shake and you're all set.
Deep Clean Their Accessories
Wash Their Bedding with Baking Soda
Baking soda might be one of the most versatile natural cleaning ingredients out there (and one of our favorites). Its deodorizing properties make it perfect for washing pet bedding. Just add a scoop to the wash, along with a mild, fragrance-free detergent, and run it on a hot cycle. Look for pet beds with removable, washable covers to make this even easier.
Toys & Bowls in the Dishwasher
The dishwasher is a great spot to deep clean pet toys. We toss food bowls in every few weeks, too. For soft or fabric toys, wash them in the washing machine along with their bedding (see the tip above).
Deep-Clean Collars
Collars can get pretty smelly over time and are worth deep cleaning every couple of weeks. Use the natural shampoo recipe above and let collars soak in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing and letting them air dry.
